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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) walks off the field after the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders walk off the field after the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates with cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) at midfield after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders entertain the crowd in the fourth quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (81) turns after making a catch in the third quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Pat Sims (92) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) in the third quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) falls forward after making a catch in the third quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) tosses the ball to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) in the third quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

From left: Cincinnati Bengals free safety George Iloka (43), outside linebacker Vincent Rey (57) and cornerback Darqueze Dennard (21) try to listen for the play in the third quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vincent Rey (57) tackles Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) in the third quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) communicates the play in the fourth quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) is congratulated by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) is congratulated by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws from the pocket in the fourth quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader entertains the crowd in the fourth quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 28-14. Kareem Elgazzar

Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar (89) reaches for a fumbled ball before it ends up recovered by the Bengals in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (81) makes a catch over the middle in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) fights off a tackle from Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) on a catch in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar (89) reaches for a fumbled ball before it ends up recovered by the Bengals in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) scores a touchdown in the first quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) holds his arm in pain after a hit in the third quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) holds on to a touchdown catch in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform on the sideline during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) is brought down on a catch over the middle in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals fell to 2-3 with a 28-14 loss on the road. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is brought down for a loss by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (92) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) breaks through the secondary for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) leaps to catch a pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Josh Shaw (26) defends in the first quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback KeiVarae Russell (38) downs Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead (13) on a carry in the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) is brought down on a carry in the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber (10) punts on fourth down in the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) takes a handoff from quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs between the first and second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs the ball after scrambling in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws the ball away as he's brought down by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) makes a catch in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) can't catch up to an overthrown pass in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) looks for running room in the first quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) scrambles out of the pocket in the first quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones (24) reacts after defending a completed pass in the first quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform between the first and second quarters during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

The Dallas Cowboys take the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Fans cheer at the end of the National Anthem before the start of the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. The Bengals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Sam Greene

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs the option with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and scores a touchdown in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks for running room in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) argues with umpire Dan Ferrell (64) in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and the offense sit on the bench in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) rests his hands on his hips as he waits for the offensive play call in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) reacts as Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (92) hangs onto him for longer than he expected on a sack in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) drops back to throw in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) leans forward after making a catch as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) defends in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) braces for a hit after making a catch in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) is unable to reach a deep pass in the second quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kareem Elgazzar

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) scores a touchdown in the first quarter during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Sunday’s game against the Cowboys set up as one of the most telling regarding where this Bengals team stands this season.

Bengals players and coaches walked away with a definitive and disturbing answer.

They stand a long way from the group reaching five consecutive playoff berths and at a concerning crossroads following a three-phase evisceration at the hands of Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas ran up a 28-14 victory behind a dominating offensive line punishing and perplexing the Cincinnati defense with 133 yards and two touchdowns by Elliott.

And a potential exists for further embarrassment. The Bengals (2-3) now face a trip to face New England and Tom Brady in his first home game since his suspension lifted. Another loss would place Cincinnati two games under .500 for the first time since 2012, when the team was 3-5 prior to winning seven of the last eight games of the year to make the postseason.

Postseason concerns rank well down the list for Marvin Lewis after Sunday, whose message to coaches and players following the game involved the old adage of everyone taking a look in the mirror and finding a way to make the team better.

"Not a proud moment for us," defensive lineman Domata Peko said. "But Coach Lewis said it best, we have to look ourselves in the mirror and see how we can improve because next week ain’t going to be any easier. This (stuff) isn’t easy. If it was easy everybody would be up here doing it. We have to stick together. It’s a little turmoil right now, a tough loss, but that's why we have these leaders on our team, such a tough team. We have to stick together in these tough times and get over this hump."

They were far from fine Sunday. The offensive line struggled to contain the Cowboys' pass rush and never creased the Dallas 30-yard line until the fourth quarter. Andy Dalton finished 29 of 41 for 269 yards and two touchdowns, but drive after drive stalled at midfield.

"We just ain't playing, man," running back Giovani Bernard said. "It isn't us. It's frustrating when you know the guys you have on this team and for some odd reason, it's just not clicking."

The last time the Bengals trailed by 21 points at halftime was Dec. 4, 2011, at Pittsburgh. Not counting the debacle of a 2010 season, the Steelers game along with Sunday mark the only halftime deficits of at least 21 points in the Marvin Lewis Era.

This definitive defeat leaves a marked concern about the ceiling on this team. Their two victories came against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, both 1-4 coming off Sunday losses. The three defeats against Denver, Pittsburgh and Dallas have all come by at least eight points. The four losses in the regular season last year came by a combined 23 points.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm not (mystified by the losing)," Jones said. "We are used to winning as a unit. I have been here seven years, maybe had one bad year. For the most part we always find a way to get it back on track. By any means necessary we are going to fix it."

CLOSE

The Bengals' Adam Jones talks about a frustrating 28-14 defeat in Dallas.

Beyond the obvious concern over a defense expected to help carry the Bengals through the early part of the season, struggles on the offensive line showed up clear as the Jerry World scoreboard on Sunday. Dalton was sacked four times. Right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, making his fifth career start, struggled mightily, allowing multiple sacks and pressures off the edge. Center Russell Bodine allowed a sack and saw a stunt blow by him for another. Guard Kevin Zeitler committed back to back penalties to stall a drive.

One of the few bright spots on the day came on the offense’s two late trips into the red zone, where the Bengals rank 32nd in the NFL in touchdown conversion. Dalton hit Brandon LaFell for a 7-yard touchdown pass and a 5-yard touchdown reception during garbage time.

Still, the Bengals only reached the red zone twice, both in the final quarter when the game had already been long decided.

"You get down 21-nothing early in an NFL game on the road, it's going to be a long day," Andrew Whitworth said. "It's disappointing we didn't play well, but there so much season left. There's so many runs you make in this game. If we end the same way we started last year, this doesn't really matter that much. You lost and you've got to put your head back down, go to New England and play your best football. That should be the only thing we're worried about."